What Is to Be Done? · Chapter
XV explained
Lopukhóf visits the Rozalsky home, engaging Marya Alekséyevna in a calculatedly amiable conversation about his supposed quarrel with his sweetheart's parents.
What happens
Lopukhóf visits the Rozalsky home, engaging Marya Alekséyevna in a calculatedly amiable conversation about his supposed quarrel with his sweetheart's parents. He arranges to stay for dinner, bribing Marya Alekséyevna with expensive wine and a pie to allay her suspicions about his relationship with Vera.
Themes in this chapter
Critique of Bourgeois Society
Lopukhóf's calculated bribery of Marya Alekséyevna with wine and a pie exposes the mercenary and hypocritical nature of bourgeois family negotiations.
Characters to notice
- Marya Alekséyevna
Suspicious of Vera and Lopukhóf's sudden return together, she scrutinizes them but is gradually won over by Lopukhóf's flattery and expensive gifts.
- Dmitri Sergéitch Lopukhóf
Feigning weariness and a quarrel with his sweetheart's parents, he orchestrates a dinner bribe to secure Marya Alekséyevna's goodwill and distract her from his true intentions.
- Viéra Pavlovna
Returns home with Lopukhóf, appearing pale and silent, which prompts her mother's intense observation.
- Matrióna
Sent by Lopukhóf to make purchases for the dinner, including wine and a pie.
Key passages
“He went into the kitchen and sent Matrióna to make the purchases. "Let's have a regular picnic today, Marya Alekséyevna. I want to drink away my quarrel with those parents."”
Lopukhóf goes to the kitchen and dispatches Matrióna to buy supplies, declaring to Marya Alekséyevna that they should celebrate with a picnic to forget his dispute with his sweetheart's family.
Lopukhóf uses the pretense of a quarrel to justify his extravagant spending and bribe Marya Alekséyevna.
“Marya Alekséyevna's face, which at the first mention of dinner became black with rage, put off its decided expression when he spoke of Matrióna, and assumed a look of eagerness.”
Marya Alekséyevna's anger at the suggestion of dinner quickly turns to interest when Lopukhóf mentions involving Matrióna and contributing money.
Her reaction highlights her greed and the transactional nature of her hospitality.